DOVER — Reaction to the announcement that the U.S. Postal Service will discontinue Saturday mail service this summer varied greatly among area residents, with some saying it was a good move for postal workers and others lamenting it would hurt their own businesses.

In a public statement Wednesday, Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said the decision reflects the “strong growth” of the package business at the postal service. The agency is making the move in response to “financial realities resulting from America's changing mailing habits,” he said.

“We developed this approach by working with our customers to understand their delivery needs and by identifying creative ways to generate significant cost savings,” he said.

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Tyler Anderson

How will the change hit close to home? Business owner Todd Berrios believes the change will be negative.

“I own two records stores and I rely on packages every day. I believe this change will definitely affect me,” Berrios said.

“We have been so used to the Saturday delivery for so many years, it's going to be hard to adjust. Grammy's card will have to wait to be delivered,” Perry said.

Other area residents say what's done is done, and they will just have to make do.

“You can't fight the government no matter how much you try. I'll just make sure my bills are paid on time,” Somersworth resident Milena Huckleberry said.

Carlene Dumont, an employee of Harvey's Bakery in Dover, believes USPS workers should have the weekends off.

“I'm for it!” she said. “A lot of people work Monday through Friday and they deserve those extra days off.”

However, cessation of Saturday mail service doesn't necessarily mean a vacation for all Postal Service workers. Starting Aug. 5, the USPS will halt delivery of mail on Saturdays with the exception of packages. In doing so the agency hopes to save an estimated $2 billion annually.

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Bernadette Cwiertniewicz

Tyler Anderson, of Dover, felt the savings for the postal service is worth the added inconvenience.

“Considering it is $2 billion in the Postal Service's pocket, I understand why it is a good idea. Saturday's mail seems to be mostly junk anyways,” Anderson said.

Somersworth resident Matt Kiman pointed out that the decision could potentially mean reduced staffing at the postal service.

“It's obviously going to put someone out of work,” the 50-year-old said.

According to The Associated Press, the Postal Service is the linchpin of a $1 trillion mailing and mail-related industry that employs more than 8 million Americans in fields as diverse as direct mail, printing, catalog companies, magazine and newspaper publishing and paper manufacturing.

Some fear one-day-a-week cutbacks could open the door to more drastic setbacks in the future. Others predict the USPS delivery change will not affect them.

Judy Foley, co-owner of The Rustic Dragonfly in Somersworth, said she is all for it.

“Honestly, in this economy, any savings is fantastic. I feel for the mailmen, but cutbacks are happening everywhere,” she said.

The USPS has been in debt for a while now, taking in huge financial losses. According to The Associated Press, in November the USPS reported a record annual loss of $15.9 billion for the past fiscal year.

It's too early to tell how detrimental the change in Saturday mail service will be, but the prospect has Faith Mantisanti, of Somersworth, worrying that it will impact the bottom line for some residents, such those who receive paychecks in the mail.

“There are people like me struggling,” she said. “Some rely on their checks every weekend. It's tough out there.”